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Claudia Byers's avatar

Happy Anniversary!! What a grand time of the year to get married. Cool enough and all the fall colors make for the perfect time. I was married in December which was not so smart. But.....Boy, did you hit it on the head with all those scrumptious recipes. Wow! Quite a few of them are my favorites. My mouth is just watering. Great comfort food here. I never was a fan of Halloween even as a kid. I hated everything about it - the costumes, the parties, everything. I did the trick or treat thing when my boys were little (hated every minute of it) and ended it when they turned 9. I had enough! My youngest son married a girl who goes all out for Halloween. Oh, well. To each their own. I feel for you now that you are leaving Michigan. Next May will be here before you know it. But then I'm jealous about you being in San Diego in January. It's beautiful there. My kind of weather.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you Claudia! You know what's funny? Our original wedding date was in December! We moved it to October because I was managing a portrait studio and couldn't get time off in December! I'm so glad we did. We weren't thinking about our anniversaries at all and how much nicer it would be to celebrate in October. We lucked out!

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Claudia Byers's avatar

That was our downfall with celebrating our anniversary in December. We couldn't! Christmas expenses stopped that. The one thing we did was go out to dinner to eat my yearly steak and lobster and a glass of wine. 🥂

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Well that sounds fabulous. ❤️

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

I love fall too but am not fond of Halloween. It was different when I had a small boy who was delighted by it and I could enjoy it through his eyes.

Though we live in Southern California, there is the rare Japanese maple or Aspen that turns color and sheds its leaves. And if you venture into the mountains, there are distinct seasons. In any case, we make soup and bake no matter the weather, so thanks for some inspiring fall recipes, Rebecca, plus the interesting window into your nomadic life. And Happy Anniversary too! 🤗

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you Ruth! I've often wondered if I would still get the urge for Fall baking if I lived in a year round warm weather climate. We travel somewhere warm in January, but spend the fall and early winter weeks in places where the weather is colder. It always makes me want to bake (and make soup!), but it sounds like you did the same even without the colder weather!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

That’s an interesting point, Rebecca. I’ve lived the majority of my life in California, with only a few college years spent on the East Coast. I’ve come to believe fall baking is almost a state of mind that impels some of us to bake, make soup and casseroles, etc. even when it’s still salad and fruit shake weather. Or it could just be that I have a baking addiction!😆

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Haha! Well, I certainly relate to that!

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Nicki Sizemore's avatar

I’m right with you about Halloween, but I would love that amazing dessert spread!

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Betty Williams's avatar

A friend told me that every anniversary after 30 of them can be considered a “milestone” one, hahaha! Happy milestone anniversary to you both! 🥂 And where have those chocolate pistachio brown butter cookies been all my life?! Must make.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

I love it! I am stealing that! Thank you my friend, and may your week include cookies!

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Nica Waters's avatar

"the leaves will continue their kaleidoscopic transformation" i love this description, which makes me miss fall even more. No seasons where we are right now, sadly. When we get to a place with them once again they will feel even more magical.

Happy anniversary!

Also - our oldest was the Halloween guy, single-handedly decorating the outside of the house and attic-stashing decorations bought on sale after the holiday the year before. Our neighborhood was trick-or-treat central. He even drove down from college his first Halloween there to decorate just for the trick-or-treaters.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you Nica! I also think I would miss seasonal change if we ever find ourselves without it. A friend of mine moved to San Diego a couple of years ago and she says once you experience good weather year round you don't miss the change in seasons. But, I think I would. Not that I mind cutting winter short! We spend November and December in Colorado and then head straight for San Diego in January and that is fine by me!

Your youngest sounds like a hoot!

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Shauna K. Hunt's avatar

Happy Anniversary 🎉!!

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you Shauna!

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Bree Stilwell's avatar

ACK! I knew I forgot something... Happy Anniversary!!!

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you!

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Bree Stilwell's avatar

Ugh, where do I start?? With the Nutella. Always with the Nutella. 😍

I'm so grateful to you, Rebecca, for the generosity of your time, of course, but more so for the generosity of your spirit. "You know how that is sometimes? When you meet people and right away know they are your people?" YES. Yes, I do. Cheers to us!

Just as important to comment on--that haunted house, dumplings of any iteration (my mom's remain my absolute, hands-down, most favoritest thing, from the recipe passed down from my great grandma Elsie), will be test-driving your stuffed acorn squash this week, and most importantly--Michigan will miss you, my friend!

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Cheers to us, my friend! We will miss Michigan. We had a glorious last sailing day yesterday and today start the process of getting the boat ready for storage and us ready to leave. But, next year dangles in front of us like a big fat proverbial carrot, so that's nice. And next year, we'll figure out how to meet in person.

Family recipes are the best and I can't wait to hear what you think of the stuffed acorn squash.

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Bree Stilwell's avatar

We sure will! And happy to report back on the squash, but I have every faith it's gonna be just the thing. Happy trails, my friend!

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Lori Olson White's avatar

My “normal” Minnesota wild rice soup was in the plan to make this week but now I’m psyched to try your great-sounding recipe with dumpling! Oolalal! I’m an October girly, too, just something wonderful about the crunch of cooler weather. 🧡

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Oh, I can't wait to hear what you think of that recipe Lori! It's one of our favorites! And yes, the "crunch of cooler weather"... especially after a hot summer. I love it so much.

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Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

Happy Anniversary!

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you!

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Holly Coppedge's avatar

Happy Anniversary! I made that chicken soup last year and it was so good. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be making it again soon 😋

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you!

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Shell Plant's avatar

Happy Anniversary! Bryan and I also have an October anniversary. It's a special month. ❤️

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Happy Anniversary to you! October is the best month for an anniversary, isn’t it???

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Shell Plant's avatar

Most definitely!! I loved my Autumnal wedding. I remember the florist being so excited she could make a bouquet with Autumn colours and flowers.

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